Chromecast FAQ: The Beginner’s Guide to Effective Use of Chromecast

Whether you are intending to buy a Chromecast device or you just bought the Chromecast device, you will find this beginner’s guide – Chromecast FAQ interesting and helpful. Even those who have been using Google Chromecast for a while may learn or uncover new amazing features of Chromecast from this Chromecast FAQ that they never knew existed. Google’s digital transformation cuts across different frontiers including your smart TV. Chromecast FAQ helps Google Chromecast users to effectively utilize the inbuilt features of Chromecast to its fullest.

Be it the $35 Chromecast device or the $69 Chromecast Ultra that you have got, the most interesting part of Chromecast is its ease of use and portability. It is very easy to use such that you just plug in, connect to Wi-Fi, and you are ready to stream cool stuff from Netflix, Apple TV, Spotify, Pandora, HBO, Hulu, etc, from your mobile device or Windows PC to your TV. The $69 device works with all 4K HDR-ready TVs in a smart and consistent way. One of the greatest benefits of HDR content is that it offers richer color shading, brighter highlights, and deeper contrast. Here’s the list of Chromecast FAQ:

Does Chromecast Cast Facebook Videos?

Yes. You can enjoy content like ahem on Facebook Live especially when you bring it to your big TV screen. To send a Facebook Live broadcast to your TV, ensure that the device you are casting from and your TV is on the same Wi-Fi network. Once you do that, go ahead to Facebook Live broadcast and select the Cast icon that appears on the screen and you’re good to go.

Can I Sync Chromecast Device with Google Home?

Yes. To make effective use of your Chromecast at home, sync it up with your Google Home to control some TV content via voice. Here’s how to sync or connect your Google Home, TV, and Chromecast. When you link them, you can say things like, “Hey, Google, Play Pandora music on Chromecast.” There are other services that work with Google Home. They include YouTube TV and Google Play Movies & TV, Starz CWTV, CBS All Access, Viki, Crackle, Red Bull, and HBO Now.

Can I Watch Plex Content Through Chromecast Device?

Yes. Since Chromecast doesn’t support local media playback, it is seemingly difficult for many users playback contents they have saved in the cloud. You don’t need to worry about this anymore. With media management app – Plex, you can now stream music, movies, and photos through Chromecast. This is because Plex assembles your scattered content and lets you watch it from TVs, tablets, phones, and so on. All you need to do is to sign up for the service, then download the Plex app, open it, and send your content to the Chromecast. It’s that simple!

Can I Cast VR View to the TV Screen?

Yes. If you love virtual reality and want others around you to have the same amazing experience as you that is wearing the goggles, you can cast the VR view to your TV screen. Just pair your Google’s $99 Daydream View headset and a Chromecast, and you can send what’s on the headset to a television.

What you need to do is to ensure that the phone you have in the Daydream and the Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network. Next step is to install Google Home app for Android or iOS if you don’t have one already. Launch the Google Home app, select Cast, and then choose the Chromecast device to which you want to send the VR images. Put the phone into the headset and everyone can see what you are enjoying in the worlds of virtual reality.

Another way is to use Gear VR. If you have it, you can do the same thing. Just ensure that you have the latest version of the Oculus app and get your Gear going, hit the Cast button, and select the device on which you want to view your VR and you are exploring.

Can I Cast Pictures From Google Photos to Chromecast?

Today, Chromecast serves as a viable alternative to old-school slideshows. It eliminates the need for projectors. Google Photos supports Chromecast, so you can cast your pictures from Google Photos on Android, iOS, and the PC to your big TV Screen. Just hit the Cast icon on the top of the Google Photos icon, tap to connect and your photo streaming journey will begin.

Does Chromecast Come with Ethernet Adaptor for Internet Connectivity?

Yes. Chromecast device comes with $15 Ethernet Adaptor to enabled you to have a more strong and reliable internet connection. The Ethernet Adapter will deliver streams that do not buffer from Netflix, YouTube, and other contents from your mobile devices to your TV. It is worth the extra dollars.

The plug end of the Ethernet adapter now includes a small Ethernet port. Connect an Ethernet cable that is also connected to your modem to that same port, plug the USB end of the adapter into the Chromecast, attach the Chromecast to the HDMI port on your TV, and you are ready to stream.

Does Chromecast Support Music Streaming from Spotify?

Yes. Spotify Premium subscribers can cast tunes via their Chromecast. Just put your device and the Chromecast on the same Wi-Fi network. Open the Spotify app, play a track, select Devices Available, and then select your Chromecast. The same thing applies to Pandora too.

Can I Mirror My Android to my TV via Chromecast?

Yes. With Android 4.4.2 (KitKat MR1) and higher, you can mirror your Android device to your television. This means that you can cast whatever you see on your mobile phone to the TV. All devices running Android KitKat OS 4.4.2 and higher have this functionality.

How Can I Set Chromecast Ambient Mode?

You can use your own pictures or choose from Google’s selection of beautiful art, landscape photography, and satellite images; to set up your Chromecast background with Ambient Mode. Just go to your Google Home app, select Account > Devices > Chromecast > Menu > More. You will see the Ambient Settings. Select it and you will be able to scroll through choices that let you set your own images from Google Photos, Facebook, and Flickr or images from Google. It also allows you to add weather and time to the display as you want.

Can I Use CastPad?

Yes. You can play Pictionary on your TV big screen by downloading CastPad to an Android device and then casting it to the screen.

Can I Stream Music With Google Play Music?

Yes. If you want to play music via your TV with Chromecast, you have to download Google Play Music on your Android or iOS device. Open the app, select the cast icon, choose Chromecast from the device list, and select what you want to play. If you want more music other than your own music library, you can join Google Play Music for $9.99 a month or $14.99 for a family plan, which includes YouTube Premium subscription and free streaming radio.

The $35 Chromecast Audio device will provide great sound quality than your TV speakers can. With it, you can connect your home speakers and stream music from nearby devices via Wi-Fi network.

Can I Cast From Google Slides using Chromecast?

Yes. With Google Slides, you can show your presentation with Chromecast because Google Cast is built into Chrome. Just tap on the “Present” option on the top-right of your presentation, select “Present on another screen,” and pick your Chromecast device. It’s that simple!

How Can I Setup LocalCast for Silent Streams?

First, download the LocalCast app for Android on your smartphone. This will enable you to achieve silent streams. You use silent streams whenever you want to watch something on your TV but don’t want the sound to disturb others in the room. It lets you cast video to your television while keeping audio on your device. Just tap “Route audio to phone” on the “Now playing” screen, and plug in some headphones.

Can I Use YouTube Kids App with Chromecast?

Yes. YouTube Kids offers kids age-appropriate videos from the Google-owned video site. The app restricts content on the app, even on search, and with it, technology-aware kids can now cast their favorite videos to the TV.

Can I Watch my DirectTV Time’s DVR on Chromecast?

Yes. You can watch live TV or anything you have saved to the DirectTV Now’s Cloud DVR via your Chromecast if you are a DirectTV Now subscriber. All you need to do is to open the DirectTV Now app, select the Cast icon, and choose the Chromecast device you want to use.

Can I Use Vudu App to Convert my DVDs to Digital and Stream via Chromecast?

Yes. You can convert your stacks of DVDs to digital media and stream them simply by using Vudu app to convert old media to new. Just download the Vudu app for Android or iOS, sign in or sign up for an account, then go to the menu and select Disc to Digital, and scan the UPC code from the disc. Then you can watch your DVDs as a stream on the Vudu app on Chromecast. This comes with a minimal cost. A standard definition will cost you $2 per title whereas a high definition will cost $5 a title.

How Can I Stop Chromecast from sending Usage Data and Crash Reports to Google?

Chromecast usually sends Usage Data and Crash Reports to Google by default except you opt out. Google uses the data collected for the sole purpose of improving users experience. You can control the type of information that is sent. However, it is not possible to turn off all data collection channels completely. Open up the menu on the Google Home app and select Devices, then Chromecast. Select Settings and uncheck Send Chromecast Device Usage Data and Crash Reports to Google.

How Do I Queue Up YouTube Videos on a Chromecast?

One challenge with YouTube videos on a Chromecast is that you have to pick up and put down your phone or tablet each time you want to watch another video. To avoid this, launch the YouTube app, tap the Cast button, select your Chromecast device, and choose a video to watch. Instead of selecting Play, tap TV Queue. Find another video and do the same and repeat until you have a full playlist. Hit Play on the first video in the queue to start watching the playlist. By so doing, your videos will play seamlessly without you having to do anything.

Can I Cast from Kindle Fire?

Yes. Amazon App store does not have Google Home app in its store but you can still cast from your Kindle Fire. All you need to do is to go to Settings on your Kindle Fire, scroll down to “Allow Installation of Applications”, and turn it “On”. Then, open on your Fire to market.1mobile.com in any web browser and download it. Next, open a browser on your Kindle Fire and go to chromecast.com/setup. Select “Get It On Google Play” and when you are asked, choose to complete the action using 1Mobile. This will take you to the Chromecast page on 1Mobile Market. Choose Download. As soon have the app installed, turn on your TV and follow the installation instructions on the Kindle Fire to complete your setup.

Can I Play Games with Chromecast?

Yes. Chromecast can be used to play games especially some fun family games. You can download games to your Android or iOS device and in turn use your phone or tablet as a controller, while the game runs on your TV.

Chromecast finds purpose in most home smart devices. All you need to do is to explore and you will be amazed at what you will uncover.

Romanus Eke is an AWS Certified Solutions Architect with a keen interest in cloud computing, web development, special networks, server administration, automation, telecommunications, payment services bank (PSB) and applications development. He has over nine years of IT experience and has built many E2E solutions for clients. As a blogger and an ISTE Award Winner, he has published over 800 articles. He likes technology and spends most of his leisure time writing about technology-based 'self-help' articles. Romanus holds a Masters of Business Administration and Bachelors Degree in Electrical/Electronic & Computer Engineering.
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